Scubapro G250V or Apeks xtx200?

[Puffer Fish]

I own both.. Actually two sets of both.

When both are adjusted to the edge...breathing is about as good as it gets.

There are, however, some differences, both good and bad between the two:

Scubapro 250V second stage (I happen to have the MK25 first stage):

1. Bigger, heavier design...

2. Scubapro is easier to get serviced all over the world...it is my travel regulator.

Apex 200:

1. Smaller, lighter second stage.

2. Comes with two exhaust ducts... nice if bubbles from a normal reg are an issue.

3. Parts, if needed are somewhat available, depending on the area.

4. If one wanted to absolutely know which breathes easier... I would have to say the Apex... but it is hardly noticable.

I like them both.

 

[wunat]

I own regulators from both manufacturers. Both great regulators.

Which 1st stage does the G250V comes with? If you will be diving in cold water, may be you will look into a MK17 1st stage rather than a MK25.

Otherwise, I think the only think I would look into among these two choices is the service with respects to what's available to you and the cost. Scubapro requires special tools and thus could be a limitation (or not). Apeks are simpler.

 

[Cyclops_Diver]

A Scubapro MK17/G250 or G250V combo would serve you well no matter where in the world you decide to dive.

 

[ToPpS]

From what i've heard from instructors, technicians and from on-line, i haven't heard bad things about either the Scubapro or Apeks regs. Both and especially the Apeks are considered bullet proof!

Apeks has great reviews and is my personal first choice when it comes to regs, especially the XTX200.
Scubapro is very well regarded for their "hard gear" and the MK25 is one of the best first stages out there. I'm not a huge fan of the G250 but the S600 would be my preferred option from Scubapro.

In terms of choosing a Nitrox compatible reg... Most manufacturers produce regs that are compatible up to 40%. If you are diving with any mixes that exceed 40% then a specialized nitrox reg would seem sensible.

If you want to sit and analyse benchmarks and everything about the regs out there that's your choice. THe best thing to do is to write down what you need the reg to handle in your usual diving conditions. IE: do you dive in cold water, dirty water, tech diving.... once you can list that then you can start matching up regs that meet your requirements.

 

[John_B]

Good post, ToPpS. The only thing I'd add is that pbc1216 doesn't tell us what conditions he dives or what the water temperatures are like where he lives. If its cold water, based on my dive buddy's experience with the MK25/S600s, he'll probably want to just go with the MK17/G250V from the start.

 

[Matthew Mandziuk]

I've dove Scubapro on Open Circuit to depths of 400' in cold Canadian inland lakes. Only Atomic M1's have outperformed my MK25/S600's....I've used 250's as deco regs over the years and have never had an issue with HP seats in the Scubapro regs, cannot say the same about Apeks.....I mean why did they come out with the Status series to let you know when your high pressure seat in your first stage was going to explode?

 

[mikeguerrero]

I dive the XTX 200 as my primary and use the Legend LX ACD supreme as my bungie backup. I dive singles and have taken both regs down to 100+ feet and breathed out of both.

I like the way the XTX200 handles the exhaust bubbles better than the Legend but the Legend breathes just a hair easier under that depth.

The Apeks however feels more robust and therefore is my choice on the primary. I like the Legend as my backup because it's a lot smaller than the XTX200, makes for a more streamline approach when gearing up.

Also in the Apeks defense, it's one of the regs that has been taken down to 2,000 feet and performed flawless. That got me to purchase one over other regs, if it can work at 2,000 feet and is trusted there, you have my vote for working at 100+ feet.

MG

 

[ToPpS]

There are those who believe that a when it comes to 1st stages, a balanced diaphragm (MK17) is "better" than a balanced piston (MK25). It's mainly because that the "guts" of the piston are exposed to the water.... well that's the basics isn't it?

Am i right when i say that ScubaPro has released the new S700 regulator? I'm sure i saw an ad for it in a local dive magazine.

 

[hudson]

Having a sealed ambient chamber is no big deal in itself. MK17 is a better cold water regulator and otherwise just as good, that's why.

I actually prefer the MK25 if there is a good chance of flooding the regulator (stage bottles, sidemount etc)